Back To Classics

First off, Happy New Year everyone! It's 2012 and what better time to try new hairstyles than now? Many women want to try something different around the new year but are usually afraid to do anything too drastic.  They are afraid of cutting it too short, especially in California where everyone has long beachy hair.  So what's the solution?  Try different styling techniques!  With long hair, looking different is difficult if long layers are all you have, but once you start incorporating curls or waves, it can create a whole new look.

What do little black dresses, red lipstick, and retro inspired waves all have in common?  It's classic.  When in doubt, always go back-to-basics classics.  Throughout the decade, the Hollywood glamour look has always been a classic red-carpet style and many celebrities are constantly bringing it back, such as Kate Bosworth, Christina Aguilera and Megan Fox among many others.

After our most recent blog, we had many compliments on Leeya's article regarding glamorous finger waves and also several inquiries on how to achieve that look. Well, you guys are in luck because I will show you how step by step in the simplest way possible!

Before you begin, make sure you have some tools handy.  For this particular look, I'm using medium pin curl clips, a 1 inch curling iron, a paddle boar bristle brush, a large hair clip, and a few combs to help part and separate.  You can use any size iron you want, but just remember- the smaller the barrel size, the tighter the waves, and vice versa. Ok, so let's get started!

This is Leeya's 'before' picture.  She has naturally thick and curly hair, but it's blown out as you can see.  I've decided to use the 1 inch barrel on her because her hair is so long and I want to see definition.  At the same time, it won't be too tight of a curl due to the weight of her hair.  I went ahead and parted her hair on the side she is most comfortable with, and thoroughly brushed out any tangles or snags she may have so that the hair is smooth, clean and ready for my first step.

So starting around her part, I began my first row of the pin curls. I'm using about 1.5"x1.5" sections, since we wanted looser waves.  If you want a tighter waves, then take smaller sections.  The key is to make sure the pin curls are rolled all the same direction on the same row.  It doesn't matter if you go clockwise or counter-clockwise first (I chose counter-clockwise), but it just all has to be the same. As you can see, I did pin curls all the way around her parting, starting at her hairline moving in a horse shoe shape at the crown until I finished my last curl on the other side of her part. You can also see that all my curls are pinned in the middle so that I don't put dents into the hair.  Then continue on the the next row, starting one one side, creating another horse shoe under the previous horse shoe until the last curl ends on the other side of her face.  The difference this time is to change the direction of the curl opposite to what was done previous.  My previous pin curls were counter-clockwise so this entire row will be clockwise.  This is what will be done on each row; alternating the direction of the pin curls. 

Continuing these steps, alternate the direction of the pin curls until the entire head is pins into perfect rows.  If you started on a side part, you will end up with a weird diagonal section, but don't panic! Just curl it the same as the rest, still alternating directions.  When all the pin curls are done, you should be able to see neat rows, and each row going clockwise or counter-clockwise.  After it's all done, I put Leeya under a hood dryer with cool heat for about 20 minutes.  I wanted to make sure all the curls had completely set and not still warm.  If you are at home, just wear the pin curls around the house for as long as you can until you need to style it, if time permits.  If you need to leave the house, just wrap a scarf over it and pop on some large sunglasses....you'll really look retro for an outing!

After the curls have set, take out all the pins one by one and what you'll see is Shirley Temple hair!  Every curl should be very defined, cool to the touch, and have lots of voluminous bounce.  Now, using just your fingers and hands, separate the curls so that it will be easier to brush through.  At this point, if you're liking this look, you can also rock the Rita Hayworth style which is also very glamorous and sexy, similar to what Gwen Stefani likes!

For a more sleek and polished look, take the boar bristle brush, pressing through slow and firmly from roots to ends until all the curls take formation into uniformed waves.  If it is easier, a round bristle brush can also be used, brushing the underside of the hair in a downward motion until similar results are achieved.  You can choose whether you want the bottom to curl up or under, which I had opted for the latter.  At this point, the hair can be moved and brushed as many times as needed to create the perfect waves you want.  Try teasing it, tucking a side behind the ear, or adding a cute barrette.  If you feel even more ambitious, try bobby pinning the ends up into a messy bun for a cute up-style.  Either way, this is definitely a classy look that anyone can try, no matter what length or texture hair a person has.

Leeya's 'after' photo

Finally as a finishing touch, add some rouge, a bit of gloss or some lush red lipstick,and you're ready to hit the town Hollywood style!

Happy Styling!

 -Christine

Holiday inspired hairstyles!

The Parlour on 3rd recently hosted an amazing holiday extravaganza. Aside from the delicious food, unique drinks, and lounge music,  it was a meaningful night filled with fashion and inspirational holiday hairstyles.

Stylists at the Parlour wanted this year's holiday party's to be for a special cause.  Toys for Tots is an amazing organization that allows poor and needy children to receive donated gifts for the holidays.  Thanks to our amazing clientele, families, and team, we were able to make that happen. We ended up filling up four huge boxes of new toys, that were picked up personally by two heroic Marines.

Award winning cocktail mixologist and bar manager for the Beverly Hills Hotel, Rob Rouleau, created three signature drinks for The Parlour that satisfied everyone's holiday craving. His drinks were not the only eye catching and tasteful element of the night.

Stylist Christine Liu's 50's inspired look was sophisticated from head to toe. Her wavy bangs were created from a pin curl set and swept to the side, completing her classic look. This look can be achieved many ways for different hair lengths and textures.

To get Christine's look:
Curl entire head and immediately after each curl, pin and hair spray the piece to maintain control. After removing the pins use a Mason Pierson brush to smooth out the curls to create a wavy effect. From this point on, you can either leave it all down looking glamorous, or pull it to one side and make it more sophisticated.

Christine's hair from the holiday party inspired me. I decided to change it up a little and make it more casual for a day time holiday party.  To get this half up-do, use a big curling iron to curl all of your hair and gently use your fingertips to separate and loosen the curls. Take a little section from the side of the ears and pull it back to pin hair into place. Finish up your look with a flower to create a bohemian touch.

Stay tuned for more up-dos and sexy hairstyle tutorials!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!           

Leeya

Tips for maintaining curly hair!

Having trouble maintaining your curls? Want to have natural curls like Shakira? Follow my tips and learn how to deal with your natural curls without having to always blow dry and flat iron curls away.  

Curly hair is sexy, fun, and bouncy when it's not knotted, tangled and frizzy. Curly hair needs more care and attention than straight hair. There are different types of curly hair, and textures may vary. Whether your curls are thin and fine, medium or coarse, the one thing they all have in common most of the time is the lack of moisture. It is best to use moisturizing shampoos and conditioners to maintain bouncy and healthy curls and prevent split ends. Try not to place conditioner on the scalp directly, and concentrate on the mid shaft of the hair and through the ends so that it does not weigh the hair down. 

Do not use a brush to detangle curly hair, always use a wide tooth comb to prevent damaging the elasticity of curls. You can either detangle and comb while washing your hair in the shower or you can use a detangling spray to separate curls. When done, use a towel and squeeze out excess water from the ends. Start pushing movement back into the hair using a cream based gel to scrunch up and form  piece-y curls. Do not overdue products in the hair, less is more when it comes to natural curls and waves. 

What is frizz? Hair is made up of the cuticle, cortez, and medulla. Dry hair is more frizzy because the cuticle lays outside of the hair shaft and causes the hair to swell up which creates the frizzy look. Silicone based products and oils are best to control and coat the hair. 

Cocktail products together to help support curly hair. My favorite cocktail mix is a combination of Philip B's Creme Of The Crop Light mixed with some Moroccan Oil  for controlling hold, frizz, and moisture. Use a defuser to add volume when desiring bigger hair or let it dry naturally for a more Bohemian natural look.

The secret behind successful styling is to maintain healthy hair, so make sure to use the best products at all times. 

                                                                                xoxo, Leeya

Fall 2011-2012 carry over looks!!!

Parlour Girls predictions for Fall!
Just because summer is over, doesn't mean your favorite summer trends have to be.

• Ombre Color

 Having low-maintenance, lighter hair was a huge trend this past summer.  The darker root fading into the lighter ends was made popular by celebrities such as Rachel Bilson, Jessica Biel, and many of the hot Victoria's Secret models.  This super easy chic look can be transferred into the fall and winter seasons by using the same concept, with darker colors.  Always remember to stay true to your skin tone while trying to achieve this look.  Let's go out with the old sunkissed look, and in with the new warmer autumn color hues, while still keeping the graduating fade from dark to light. 


-example of darker ombre effect

• Bold Statement Color

Bold and bright colors were very popular this past summer, especially on Rihanna. She has rocked the red hair for a few months now and had fun doing it. For fall, transtition to a darker shade of the color that suits you best. You don't have to completely change your look to do so. Just ask your hair stylist to take you a few shades darker while maintaining the rich and vibrant tone.

• Natural hair texture

Just because we wont be hitting the beaches this fall as much as we do in the summertime, doesn't mean we cant sport the natural beach-y waves. Try playing up the texture of your with the right products and without using a curling iron or flat iron. Now that the heat wave is almost gone, it is time to treat and love our hair by giving it a little break if possible. Use a cream based product with conditioning agents to control frizz and maintain the shape of your hair. We love Philip B' Creme of the Crop to achieve your hair's most healthy and natural look.

                                                                                                               Parlour Girls -Shelby and Leeya

Celebrity rainbow hair trend!

Fun and flirty, or tasteless and trashy??? If you ask me, it depends who's rockin' this Skittles rainbow look.

First it was the feathers and now it's the rainbow pandemic. Celebrities have become some of the first trendsetters for these hot new looks. I will go through some of my favorite celebrity rainbow hair trends and give you some tips on how to achieve these looks.

As a color specialist, I have experimented with my own hair over and over again but the rainbow trend has never caught my attention until now. It can truly bring out a lot of personality and make your flattering features stand out if it's done in the right color scheme.  In this photo, you are intrigued by this beautiful young woman through her eyes and because the rainbow effect is done so nicely, it does not throw you off or look trashy in any way. It is instead smooth, radiant and exotic. The colors of purple and pink stand out most with some green and blue streaks peeking through her mocha brown hair color.

When it comes to celebrities like Avril Levigne, the rainbow highlights seem to be a classic look for the young pop/rock star. She has always had different colors in her hair but mainly stayed  true to her blonde undertone. In this most recent photo she has some lime green hues in the very front layers of her hair which are subtle compared to what she normally has.

To get this look, ask your stylist to highlight only the front layers of your hair and tone it with the color you desire. If you have pre-lightened or naturally blonde hair then you can skip the lightening part and jump straight to picking the color that best suits you.

Cher Lloyd is rockin' a combination of the very popular 'ombre' highlight with a rainbow effect. Her color starts off looking natural at the roots and gradually lighter into a caramel and strawberry blonde followed through with cotton candy pink towards the ends. This style suits her edgy persona while maintaining a youthful and fun look.

To get this look, ask your stylist for the 'ombre' highlight and make sure to choose a combination of colors that blend well together just like how she pulls off in this photo of what looks like a strawberry sundae.

There are many ways to go about this look. Rihanna has entertained us not only with her amazing talent as a singer but has also kept us on top of the hottest trends of our time. She surprised us again when she did this hot bold and very dramatic bright red color. She started off with wearing it long and curly and now she is showing off her bright hair on a shorter and sexy cut.

Another trendsetter who is not shy when it comes to her style is Nicki Minaj. She has proved that with confidence and a strong personality, you can pull off just about anything. In this photo, she has an all over color of pink hues that start off deeper and brighter at the center of the crown of her head and gradually fades to a lighter baby pink towards the tips. This is actually a softer touch for Nicki Minaj and i must say, I'm loving this girly look.




There is always a fine print when it comes to getting something fun and exciting, in this case it is the maintenance part of this trend. It takes dedication to keep up this look. If you want to taste the rainbow, then make sure to do it tastefully!!!

                                                                                                 - Leeya

Expensive Hair Dryers……Are They Worth It?

Having beautiful hair is never as effortless as it looks, although we women try our very hardest for it to look that way.  Most consumers have less problem spending more cash on flat irons or hair products, because they rationalize the regular use of those items.  However, when it comes to a hair dryer, women are not as likely to pay more for a better quality dryer.  My clients constantly question the differences between an over-the-counter dryer and a professional one.  “Why is it so expensive?” “Does it really make a difference?” “What’s wrong with the regular one that I have now?”  Here are the answers to all your questions.

Most normal dryers, which cost between $10 -$30, are made of an electric motor, a fan and

copper wires.  Air is generated by the electric fan which is heated by the copper wire - creating hot airflow.  A low-quality dryer does not produce an even and consistent airflow, which increases the chance of damaging the hair.  Using a low-powered dryer takes longer to fully dry the hair, and with an unstable heat source, the damage can be quite substantial in the long run.

A professional dryer, which can cost anywhere from $60-$250, is usually ceramic, ionic or a combination of both.  With a ceramic dryer, the heating component of the motor produces an airflow that is more constant without over-heating.  This decreases the chance of heat damage or hot spots on your hair.  These dryers are a little more affordable and available at any beauty supply store or online site.  I would recommend a Solano, Elchim or a CHI dryer if you’re not trying to break your bank.

Ionic dryers are more expensive because they are made of components which generate negative ions only, as opposed to ceramic dryers which generate both negative and positive ions.  Negative ions are beneficial to your hair because they seal the cuticles of each hair shaft, locking in more moisture and providing more shine.  Ionic dryers are also supposed to shrink water droplets, leading to shorter drying times because of faster water evaporation.   You can have the best of both worlds when combining the two elements together: an ionic-ceramic dryer. 

Tourmaline hair dryers, an ionic-ceramic combination, contain 100% crushed tourmaline minerals, providing the benefit of constant infrared heat production to heat hair particles from within.  More heat is rendered in the hair shaft instead of the surface, reducing heat damage.  Just to name a few, the T3, Bead Head, and Babyliss dryers all great choices for the ionic-ceramic option.

So at the end of the day, a professional hair dryer is important and really does a make a difference.  Not only will it save time in your busy schedule, but your hair quality will be better maintained with less heat damage.  The next time you shop for a hair dryer, just remember you get what you pay for.  Always opt for the professional quality tool if you desire professional results!

-Christine

Best organic exfoliator!!!

It is crucial to use the best products and ingredients on ourselves, especially when it comes to our skin. We are only getting older, but that doesn't mean we have to look or feel it. I will go over some important factors that maintain the skin's youth and also share with you my own skin regimen.

 The Josh Rosebrook organic exfoliator is chemical free and will leave you looking fresh with a youthful glow. Apart from being an amazing hairstylist, Josh has created the most amazing skin care line.


This exfoliator has worked wonders for me. Besides using it twice a week to dissolve dead skin, I use it as a mask and leave it on when I have blemishes or break outs. What I love most about this product is that it combines the most important blend of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and amino & fatty acids which make skin look it's best.

 Vitamins and minerals help strengthen the skin while keeping us healthy. Vitamins protect our bodies against the negative effects of free radicals.  Vitamin E is a great source of preventing free radicals and reduces UV induced damage to skin cells and tissue.

Antioxidants are substances that can protect your skin and fight free radicals. Free radicals are reactive  molecules resulting  from sun damage, smoking, pesticides, pollution and mostly stress. Antioxidants work in the body to help reduce and repair damage caused by elements. They provide the electrons needed to neutralize free radicals.

 Amino Acids are the building blocks of proteins and make up 75 percent of the human body. Essential fatty acids such as omega 3 and 6 are good fats that should be consumed to prevent aging skin by providing compounds of collagen and elastin. Collagen breaks down as skin ages causing sagging skin and wrinkles.  Amino acids and fatty acids help maintain and provide moisture in skin.

The Josh Rosebrook active enzyme exfoliator will:

• stimulate skin cell growth
• ignite collagen & elastin production
• reduce fine lines, age spots & sun damage
• tighten, tone and shrink pores
• dramatically improve overall radiance

I've been using the Josh Rosebrook active enzyme exfoliator that we sell at The Parlour. It has botanical extracts which help restore skin's health and fight free radicals.  It will leave you looking fresh and rejuvenated.

Gently apply the exfoliator in circular motions to scrub away dead skin. Set 10 minutes to 1 hour, rinse with warm water and towel dry.  I normally leave on exfoliator like a mask for about 20 min twice a week.




I usually never leave my house without make-up. I have to admit that since using Josh's exfoliator, my skin looks so good and luminous that I no longer feel insecure without foundation.

Thanks Josh! For once, I have found a product that really works and it's organic, which is a plus!

  

  Order a sample online at theparlourlosangeles.com or just come by and visit us for a free sample.

                                                                                            



 

                                                                                                   -Leeya